British and Irish Lions selection will be a constant talking point throughout this Six Nations Championship. In almost every position, there have been at least three or four players who have stood out, which could create a headache for Andy Farrell.
So who will have impressed the Lions head coach – and whose chances of touring Australia will have decreased after their round-three performances?
Movers
Nicky Smith (Wales)
The Leicester loosehead made a mockery of the decision to keep him on the bench in the first two rounds. One of the form players in the Premiership, Smith was busy in the loose and was part of the dominant scrum on a weekend when props played a central role among the Lions moves and shakers.
Will Stuart (England)
Stuart has been simmering nicely for England after making the tighthead shirt his own. Against Scotland, it was the English scrum which laid the foundation for victory. Telegraph Sport columnist Will Greenwood believes Stuart will tour and on Saturday’s showing it is tough to disagree. Many would have had Pierre Schoeman as a loosehead Lion before the game, but the Bath prop got the upper hand at the scrum.
Tom Jordan (Scotland)
In decent company, Jordan was the standout centre at Twickenham. Huw Jones and Ollie Lawrence both had impressive showings but it was Jordan’s all-court ability – feisty, powerful, and skilful – that made a perfect foil for Finn Russell. And that scoring pass for Scotland’s opening try was a peach. His team-mates Ben White, Jamie Ritchie, Blair Kinghord and Kyle Rowe all increased their chances of selection, too.
Shakers
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
As above, Schoeman would have been a banker tourist for many pre-championship, but the Scottish loosehead lost his starting spot against Ireland – for 2021 Lion Rory Sutherland – and at Twickenham he came off second-best against English tighthead Will Stuart. Schoeman has two matches left to re-establish his touring potential; and given the opposition – Wales and France – that is still eminently possible.
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Porter will still go on the tour – that is certain – but many had him as a banker for the starting XV and now that is not as certain. Porter was scrummaged off the park by Sale’s third-choice tighthead, WillGriff John, who had a stunning match in Cardiff. Ellis Genge and Nicky Smith both also took steps forward this weekend. The competition at loosehead is really hotting up.
Alex Mitchell (England)
Not one of Mitchell’s best days at the office, in the Calcutta Cup victory, despite the ascendancy of the English pack. Ben White, the Scotland scrum-half, looked sharper, and it was telling that Mitchell was replaced by Harry Randall on Saturday after the Saint had played the full 80 minutes against France. Mitchell has enough class to come back firing but where once he was a probable tourist, now there is doubt.
